A tightness uncoiled in Mariah’s belly, relief washing through her. She hadn’t quite known what to expect when Rulene dragged her from Amasis’sserekahthat morning. But something settled in her gut as this decision was reached.
Priam was a selfish, cowardly fool. His words instilled in her a renewed fear for all the power and danger she carried. But Mariah would fight for her people, no matter what it cost her.
It’s what her mother would’ve wanted.
The thought struck her, unbidden and unannounced. Her pain arched its back and gave a cat-like yawn before sinking its claws into her heart. Her next breath caught, and she wavered where she stood, Amasis’s eyes sharpening with concern.
“Mariah?”
“Ciana. Sebastian.” Mariah choked out their names, pulling every scrap of strength she had left to her. They both appeared at her side, concern etched on their faces.
“What do you need, M?” Ciana asked quietly, placing a feather-light touch to Mariah’s elbow.
The contact was calming. It gave her something to latch on to, to fight back the swelling, nauseating grief. She stomached a deep inhale before facing them both.
“I’m putting you both in charge of the settlement and coordination of the Onitan refugees. I want you to be the liaison between them, Kreah officials, and me. Make sure their needs are addressed and they have places to stay.” Mariah faced Amasis. “That is…ifthere are places for them to stay?”
Amasis hesitated, then gave a sharp nod. “Yes. We have temporary housing—military tents, mostly—that can be arranged for the time being. I will make the order this afternoon to have them retrieved from our barracks and constructed in the outskirts of Desva.”
“Thank you,” Mariah said, dipping her head. “You have my gratitude. And not just for this.”
Amasis smiled. “I see you, Mariah. I understand your decision. It is the right one.” They turned away, looking back in the direction of Desva. The city was far—a two-day journey by foot from the border—but the High Counsellor searched the horizon as if they could see it. “I only hope that the rest of Kreah comes to see that, too.”
Mariah twisted her hands together, a hollow pang sounding through her as she wished for the comfort of her magic, the warmth of her light, the brush of cool shadows down her spine. Beneath all the pain and despair in her chest, she joined her hope with Amasis’s.
Chapter 6
Ciana loved Mariah more than a queen—even more than a best friend. She loved her like a sister and would do anything for her. But Ciana had also never been afraid of speaking her mind.
Maybe that was why a part of Ciana wanted to wring Mariah’s neck as she watched her fly away clutching tightly to Rulene’s spines. Callamus and Priam flew alongside her, the three dragons disappearing into the early afternoon sky.
Ciana heaved a sigh. Not that there was anything she could do now. When Mariah had announced that Ciana would be staying to assist the newly arrived Onitans, the borderlands erupted into action. The gods conversed among themselves, Amasis and Mariah made plans for where these people would go when they arrived in Desva, and a few Kreah locals shifted and raced away.
No one heard Ciana’s weak mewl of protest or saw her expression of muted horror.
She knew she was being a bit dramatic. It wasn’tthatbad. It was an honor that Mariah thought her capable enough to lead these people—all of whom looked scared, confused, tired, and hungry.
What shewasn’tparticularly excited about was being appointed to do it with Sebastian.
She cut him a nervous glance from the corner of her eye. He stood rigid beside her, hands clasped behind his back, hair blown uncharacteristically out of place by the stifling wind as he watched the Onitans shuffle forward to greet them.
This was how it had been since they’d reunited in Kreah, and none of it made sense to Ciana. That last day in Verith had been everything she’d been secretly hoping and wishing for nearly a year. For him to finally wake up andseeher; not as the fun, traumatized girl who’d ended up on Mariah’s court, but as a woman capable of great things in her own right. A co-leader beside him.
A partner.
But something had changed after that mission to Khento. Or, perhaps, returned to the way it had been before.
Even then, though, Sebastian at least would talk to her. Now, he couldn’t even be bothered to do that.
Ciana sighed. “I suppose we should go say hi.”
She didn’t expect a response, so it surprised her when Sebastian answered. “I suppose you’re right.” He didn’t look at her, but she could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
Well, then.
Ciana pushed back her shoulders, straightening her loose-fitting cotton blouse, tucked a stray curl behind her ear, and started across the sands.
The leaders of the Onitan caravan halted their wagons and horses. It rippled down the lines of people, a crowd stretching well into the horizon.
